Identify the barrier first, obtain an itemised design and check support before committing. The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit is non-refundable; it is not an automatic grant paid to an installer.
Make a practical brief
Describe the route from outside to the rooms used every day. Include doors, steps, bathroom access and space for a mobility aid or helper. An occupational therapist can help translate difficulties into a useful brief. Ask the contractor to show how the proposed change meets that brief.
Check the correct tax year
The CRA page reviewed for this guide describes the 2025 tax year. It explains a credit for qualifying accessibility renovations and qualifying people and dwellings. Do not treat that page as confirmation of the final rules for a 2026 expense. Check the applicable year and keep invoices and proof of payment.
Ask separately about provincial, territorial or local assistance. Establish whether approval is required before ordering, whether the same cost can be supported through more than one route and how much you must pay yourself.
- Written confirmation of the applicable funding route
- Design, labour, disposal and finishing costs separated
- Property-owner and permit requirements checked
- Responsibility for defects and follow-up work
- Invoices identifying the work and the person paying
Compare two complete proposals
A low equipment price can exclude electrical work, plumbing or making good. Compare the same scope and discuss what happens if the final survey changes the design. Do not allow a sales estimate of a tax saving to replace your own eligibility check.